Peggy Rathmann, the Caldecott Medal-winning children's book author and illustrator "whose warm, witty picture books have delighted generations of young readers," died on November 3, Penguin Random House noted in a remembrance. She was 73.
Born in St. Paul, Minn., Rathmann grew up in the suburbs and, after high school, attended several colleges, changing her major numerous times before earning a BA in psychology from the University of Minnesota. Her wide-ranging artistic education included studying commercial art at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, fine art at the Atelier Lack in Minneapolis, and children's book writing and illustration at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles.
While at Otis, Rathmann began the work that would launch her career in children's literature. Her first picture book, Ruby the Copycat, earned a "Most Promising New Author" distinction in PW's 1991 annual Cuffie Awards. Over the course of her career, she wrote and illustrated five children's books and illustrated one more. "Her singular gift for visual storytelling, gentle humor, and capturing the mischievousness of childhood and animals made her books enduring favorites," PRH wrote.
Rathmann's best-known works include Officer Buckle and Gloria, the story of a school safety officer hilariously upstaged by his canine partner, which received the 1996 Caldecott Medal; the acclaimed bestseller Good Night, Gorilla, a nearly wordless picture book about an unsuspecting zookeeper who is followed home by the animals in his care; 10 Minutes Till Bedtime; and The Day the Babies Crawled Away. There are now 15 million copies of her books in print.
"Peggy Rathmann could bring a smile to absolutely anyone's face," said Susan Kochan, senior executive editor, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers. "She had a palpable warmth of spirit and a constant cheeky sparkle in her eyes. She poured her kindness and impish sense of humor into all the characters and stories she created, delighting kids and adults alike. Peggy was truly a national treasure and we're lucky we get to share and enjoy her books with readers of all ages."
Jen Loja, president, Penguin Young Readers, added: "Peggy's books have brought joy and comfort to generations of young readers. Look at any child's bookshelf, and chances are her books are among the most well-loved, read aloud at bedtime, shared again and again, and treasured long after childhood. Peggy brought extraordinary care, wit, and artistry to every book she created, and we are fortunate that her stories will continue to delight children and families for generations to come."